Carrier or means for preparing tuft yarns for alpha loom



Sept. 27, 1932. "F. FERRARA CARRIER OR MEANS FOR PREPARING TUFT YARNS FOR A LOOM Filed March 1i.. 1929 d proved means for supporting and presenting `v Patented Sept. 27, 1932 FRANK FERRARA, OF MEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 SHAVM'UT'IENGINEER- ING COMPANY, OF' DORCHESTER, MAS

GHUSETTS v CARRIER on MnANs non rRsPARInG "rirr YAnNs son` A Loon/rV Application ined Mai-ch 11, 192e. semi No. 346,017.

My present invention relates to manipulating or presenting series of yarns or threads,

`such as the tuft yarns for Axminster or other f pile fabric looms, and'aims to provide Vinisuch yarns or threads preparatory to and in the course of weaving and particularly in carpe-t'mainifacture. In certain respects the present invention is any improvement upon that disclosed in the (2o-pending applications of Edgar F. Hathaway Serial Nos. 290,916

vand 317,728 filed July 7,1928 and November 7, 1928, respectively.

ln the drawing illustrating certain embodimentsof the invention.

Fig. i is a plan of a yarn carrier or tube frame in position as in a threading` or yarn placing machine, the central portionbeing broken away;

Fig. 2 is a partial plan, upon alarger scale` and with parts removed or broken away, off yarn carrieror tube-frame as one end of a in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through the carrier or frame ofpFigs. l and 2, showing the yarns in threading position;

t is a part View in front elevation of the device of Figs'. l to 3;

Figs. 5 and 6 are views corresponding to Fig. 3 of another embodiment of the invention, the carrier or frame being empty of yarns in Fig. 5, while the yarns are shown in threaded position in Fig. 6;

Figs. 7 and 8 are views corresponding to portions of Figs. 3 and 4, showing a further embodiment; and

Figs. 9 and l0 are part views also corre-` sponding to portions of Figs. '3 and 4 respec-Y tively, illustrating still further means embodying' the invention. Referring more particularly to the draw ing and first to Figs. l to 4L, thetuft 4yarn carrier or tube frame there illustrated comprises a longitudinal supporting element or frame l which as shown is a tubular metallic member, vbut which may be otherwise formed, for example, as a wooden bar. Said carrier proper or frame l is adapted to sup- Y pi'ntle 4s.; It is arranged for connectionwith i `the carrier chain ofthe loom in any suitable orusual' manner, as by means of the-chainengaging members and the hook-.latches 6 at the frame ends. Y 'l 1 The spool or spools 2 have wound-upon them the series of threads, yarns, or yarn unitsr which, in their threaded position, eX-

tend across theVV frame l. In positionyto cooperate with the yarnsV 7 thefframe' or carrier is provided with a longitudinal series of spacers, guides or barriers 9 for spacing and holding the yarns and, in thepresent in- Y* stance, also serving as guides for the grippers of a'loom during the weaving operation.v

In the form shown in Figs. l tod, for the purpose of illust-rating the invention, said guides or barriers 91and 'their connection with the frame may be substantially as disclosed in the co-pending application of EdgarF Hathaway above mentioned. An attaching strip l() is secured to the 'frame in any suit,-

f'able manner, as by bolts or' otherwise, and is formed with a flange l5 having a series of formations for receiving and positioning the adjacent ends of said guides or barriers, as by means of the tongues 17 formed on the latter. f f

Said attaching strip is also provided with a rib 18 of general Ueshape in cross section, see particularly Fig. 3, having a series of s slots 19, Fig. 2, similarly. spaced as the holding formations of said flange l5.V Thewindividualguides or` barriers are adapted'to be received each in one ofsaid slots 19, and

are secured in assembled position as by means V,of a locking pin v20 passed beneath saidv U- shaped rib and through appropriately .locat-ed openings -in the respective guides.v

The outwardly extending end portions of i said guides are provided with means for preventinghdisplacement of the positioned yarns in a directionY lengthwise of the gl'iides, said means in this instance being arranged to per-` mit broadside threading or positioning of l the-yarns when desired. Each guide 9 accordingly is formed at or near its outer end portion with a laterally deflected. barbflike .nib 22, the forward edge of which, that Afac- Aing the spool, is inwardly inclined, as indilUU cated-at 23. As best seen in Fig. 4, said nibs 22 project laterally to or slightly beyond the next adjacent guide, thus providing below each nib a yarnjpassage 24. These passagesV may be further defined by additional osets or shoulders 25 below` the. nibs, asbest seen in Fig. 3.

From the foregoing it will be understood 1 that the 'frame or carrier 1 is provided with a series of yarn spacing'members, barriersV or guides 9 adaptedto receive and hold'a corresponding series of yarns or yarn ends in the desired spacedv relation and to prevent lateral displacementof the yarns in any direction. In accordance with my present inven-tion I provide means likewise to .retain the yarns against displacement ordisengagementin the direction of their length, to in-S sure that they do not unthread, draw back or run out to any undesirable extent subsequent to their placement upon the carrier,

Y' uted along theframe. As'better seen in. Fig.

whether during movement of the latter from the threading machine to a place of storage or use, or during its use in the loom.

Referring'still'to Figs. L1 to 4 there is illus- -trated for V,said purpose an element, stop or ntensioner 30 extending along the series o f spacers or guides 9, either as a single piece or as afplurality of sections, desirably of metal and somewhat resilient. Conveniently it comprisesa metal strip arranged with one edge free and positioned beneath the nibs 22 of the series of` guides, being secured along its opposite edgey portion to the frame or'carrier bar 1 in any suitable manner. As shown itis removably attached by clips or holders 31, four of w-hichappear in Fig. 1, distrib- 2 said clips 31 are secured to the frame 1 in any suitable manner, as by welding and each have a portion 32 raised suiiiciently from the frame to receive the element or strip 30 beneath it and retain the same in operative position. Additional and generally similar holding clips or stops desirably are providedvv at the opposite ends of saidelement, as indicated at 33, 33.

rlhe free portion of said strip or element 30 in normal position approaches or contacts the underface of the series of nibs 22. Being resilient it may be moved from said normal position suiiiciently to permit :the

drawing in or placement of the yarns, theredirection from left to right as viewed in Fig.l

3 to engagethe seriesof yarns and draw from Feb. 23, 1932.

It will now the spool or spools. The tensioning or feedstop means is therefore so arranged that it may be depressed prior'to the ent-rance of the needles, either manually or by means of a special depressing or clamping device assof ciated with the threading machine, a: portion of such device being indicated at D, Fig. 3 and being fully disclosed and claimed, to-

getherv withk the novel method of threading, in my copendiiig lapplication. Serial No.

346,018, now Patent No. 1,847,055, granted be-imderstoodtliat in accordance with my present invention the yarn carrier or tube frame and its series ofseparators or guides, Vwhich Vin Figs. 1 to 4 are of the open or side threadable type, is so constructed and arranged that Vthe positioned yarns are f retain-ed not only against lateral displacement but against undesired withdrawal, retraction or running out, in a direction lengthwise of the yarns. In this manner it 1s assured that the entire series of yarns when once positioned and evened within the carrier will retain such position, each projecting an equal; extent, without danger or disarrangement during manipulation of the carrier either prior to or during weaving. In this manner also I enable the "use of substantially the entire length of yarns wound on the spools,"l avoidingwaste. It will be noted that the above illustrative embodiment of the invention includes a. tensioning or feed stop means which is common to the entire series of guides 9 and which is controllable similarly and: simultaneously lwith 'respect tol said entire series to .openthem for reception `of the threading hooks or needles. v`

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown another embodiment of the presentinvention, yparts noti otherwise specifically mentioned being similar to corresponding parts in Figs. 1 to 4. The tension element, spring-strip or feedstop means 35 inthis instance is formed at its outer portion with a deflected, rounded, or cam portion 36, and an intermediate shoulder 37 between which and the overlying nibs 22 the respectiveyarns are adapted to be engaged and held Vagainst movement in the directionof their length. f

Said element .35 may be of somewhat less lateral extent than in Figs. 1 tor4, its inner orflat portion being secured against the adj acent face of the frame or bar by clips 31, 32 similarly as in Figs. 1 to 4, or in any suitable manner. By'reason ofsaid cam portion this tensioningor feed-stop vmeans is adapted for automatic opening for the reception of the .yarn-engaging needles, one of which is `indicated in dotted line at N in Fig. 5. The

free ends of the needles themselves engage and cam down the portion 36 and upon retraction permit it to spring back into holding engagement witht-he yarns, substantially as seenin Fig. .6. V Vi/'here the needles are of suiiil cientl strength and are properly guided, anV

automatically opening tensioner or feed-stop,

vsuch as that of Figs. and 6 may be Ysufficient, forV it maybe employed in conjunction with in the preceding figures. To this is secured as by means cfa plurality of screws or bolts, one or which is indicated at 40, a longitudinal element, strip or series of strips 41 having an attaching portion 42 and a projecting guide portion vincluding an upset or flange part-43 and a reversely bent lip 44. On said flange portion is provided a series ofopenings or slots 45 properly spaced to receive and position the series of yarn ends in the desired relation.

For retaining the severalyarns against longitudinal displacement I have provided a tension element or feed-stop 46 which is secured tothe frame as by means of the bolts previously mentioned and additionally or alternatively by clips 47 lsimilarly as in the preceding iioures. Said feed-stop device 46 in normal position projects upwardly and outwardly, terminating adjacent the yarn guiding format-ions of the element 41 and having its free end beneath the reversed lip 44 of the latter. t will be understood that vin the threading of the carrier or tube frame manually or mechanically as in Figs. 1 to 4.k

Upon retraction of the needles said feedstop springs up into position substantially as in Fig. 7 wherein it engages and holds the yarns against the lip 44, thus preventing their unintentional withdrawal, retraction or running out lengthwise. IWhile the yarn spacing and guide means 41 has beeii'illustra'ted in Figs. 7 and 8 asha-ving the yarn` receiving formations closed, if desired it may be open at the side or top for lateral threading, the yarns being retained against lateral displacement as by means of laterally projecting nibs similar to those of the guides 9 of Figs'. Ito 6. Also if desired the tensioner or feedstop of Figs. 7 and 8 may be provided with a cam portion for use as in Figs. 5 and6.

In Figs. 9 and 10 there is illustrated a still further embodiment of my invention wherein the feed-stop or tensioning device is shown in combination with a yarn carrier or tube frame having yarn spacers or guides 50 of full tubular form. These may be secured along the bar or frame proper 1 in any cesired or usual manner, as by soldering. At the inner or secured ends of the tubes is a bead or rib 51 extending along the entire In this inseries of tubes. As illustrated by way of example, it is provided by rounding vup a strip or plate 52 which is attached to the bar or frame 1 and extends beneath the tubes 5() to constitute an attaching strip for the latter. If preferred it may. terminate short ofthe tubesand the latter may be attached directly to the bar 1, or said bead or rib may be otherwise formed. M

In position to cooperate with said bead cfr-75 rib 51 is a resilient tensioner or feed-stop element comprising one or more strips 53 eX- tending alongl and above thel series of tubes 50 and secured thereto as by soldering. SaidA element is extended downwardly and out-80 from one of the ends, herein the inner ends of the tubes 50 and terminates in a clip vor clamp 54 opposite the bead or rib 51. The terminal edge of said element is preferably upturned substantially as illustrated as at385 55. It will be observed that in this instance as in Figs. 5 and 6 the yarn engaging needles of a'threading machine, which are passedl through the several tubes in a direction from W left to right as viewed in Fig. 9 will autolg? matically engage with their forward ends and open the tensioner or feed-stop 53.V During retraction of the needles said upturned portion 55, preventsthem from catching on the tensioner, the latter, upon complete retraction of the needles springing into position to engage and hold the yarns between its portion 54 and the opposed bead or rib or raised part 51. Obviously the feed-stop or tensioner of Figs. 9 and 10 may be em- V5100 ployed either witha yarn carrier or spacer ofthe full tubular form there illustrated or in connection with a side or slot-threadable similar element such,for example as= disclosed in the patent to Bixby 1,670,434, dated May? 22, 1928. It will be understood that the yarn-y. engaging or tensioning means of any ofthe several forms of `my invention illustrated, while preventing unintentional withdrawal, retraction or running out of the yarns, doesll not prevent their purposed withdrawal when engaged and drawn on by instrumentalities of a loom or otherwise.l

Having thus described certain illustrative embodiments of my invention it will be unf-ivv derstood that the latter is not'limited to the particular means shown and described herein, its scope being set forthl in the following claims: l

I claim: v

1. In a tuft yarn carrier for looms, in combination with a frame or carrier proper adapted to support one or more yarn spools, a series of yarn guides alono said frame to space a like series of yarns and guide them across the frame, a strip-like spring element Y along said series ofguides adjacent one of their ends, supported at one side of the yarn paths and having a portion normally projecting into or across' said paths, and means if? at the opposite side of ksaid paths againstV Y which said element is adapted to engage and tension the several yarns. j

2. In a tuft yarn carrier for looms, in combination with a frame or` carrier proper adapted to support one or more yarn spools, a

series of yarn guides along said frame to space a like series of yarns and guide them across the frame, an elongated resllient strip having one longitudinal edge portion secured along one side of' said series of guides and having its opposite or free side extended toa series of yarn spacing and guiding formations along said frame, anda tensioner in the form of a metal strip having a longitudinal portion extending externally along said series of formations and having an open or threading position and a-holding position'in which it engages the yarns positioned in said formations to prevent undesired withdrawal, retraction or advancing of the yarns.

4. A tuft yarn carrier for looms comprising, in combination, a frame, a plurality of yarn guides distributed along the frame, a strip of spring materialy extending along said frame in position to retard lengthwise movement of the several yarns positioned by said pluralityv of guides, said means being movable out of said yarn-retarding position to facilitate placing of the yarns with respect to said guides, and a. cam element on said strip for moving it out of retarding position.

5. A tuft yarn carrier for looms comprising, in combination, a frame, a plurality of` yarn guides distributed along the frame, and

common means along said frame for uniformly tensioning the plurality of yarns positioned by said guides, including a cam-like portion whereby said means may be opened or moved away from the path of the yarns by yarn-placing inst-rumentalities thereby to facilitate placement of the yarns with respect to the guides. Y f

6. In a tuft yarn carrier for looms, in combination with a frame or carrier proper, a series of yarn guides along said frame to space a like series ofyarns and guide 'them across the frame, an elongated element secured along one side of said seriesof Vyarn guides, externally thereof and having its opposite or free side extended toward the yarnentrance portions ofgthe yarn guides, and opposed means against which said element is adapted to tension the several yarns positioned by said guides, said free side of said element havingits outer edge portion deflected toward the plane in which its other side is secured, for cooperation with yarn-placing instrumentalities.

7. A yarn carrier for looms comprising, in combination, a frame or supporting bar, a yarn guiding element secured to said frame and having a longitudinal flange projecting transversely of the latter and approximately perpendicular to the path of the yarns, and a series of substantially continuous-walled yarn receiving and guiding formations along said flange.` Y

8. A yarn carrier for looms comprising, in combination, a frame or supporting bar, a yarn guiding element secured to said frame and having a longitudinal `flange projecting vtransversely of the latter, a series of yarn receiving and guiding formations formed in and along said flange, and yieldable means engageable with said flange at or adjacent the several guiding formations to tension the yarns therein. Y

9. A yarn carrierfor looms comprising, in combination, al frame or supporting bar,- a yarn guiding element secured to said frame and having a longitudinal flange projecting transversely of the latter, a plurality of Vtransverse yarn passages along said f1ange,i

laterally projecting means'alo-ng the outer portion of the iiange, and yieldable means to tension the several yarns positioned in said passages by engaging them against said laterally projecting means. i

l0. ln a yarn carrier or tube frame for looms, a frame or supportingbar, a seriesof transverse yarn guides therealong providing yarn passages or guide formations having yarn intake ends and yarn discharge ends,

and a yieldable strip-like element secured .along and above said series of guides in their iorizontal position and having a free side portion projecting downwardly into or across the yarn paths at one end of said guides there-5.

by to engage and tension the several yarns.

lLln a yarn carrier or Vtube vframe for looms,- a frame or supporting bar, a series of transverse yarn guides therealong providing yarn passages or 'guide formations having..

yarn intake ends and yarn discharge ends, a yieldable strip-lilieelement secured along and above said series of guides in their horizontal position and having a free side portion projecting downwardly into or across the yarn paths at the intake ends of said guides, and means against which said'projecting portion of saidv element is adapted to tension the yarns. Y Y

ln testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

FRANK FERRARA. 

